Crucifixion was one of the most humiliating, shameful, terrible ways of dying. It was the most painful death, so much so, that they had to make a special word for such pain and torment - excruciating. It means, "from the cross." Crucifixion was invented in about 300-400 BC by the Persians. Rome caught the idea, and changed it a little, to make it the terrifying nightmare that was forced onto its victims. It was a merciless torture made for pure suffering. Crucifixion in Ancient Jerusalem was no different. In fact, it was where the most famous crucifixion of all time occurred. It was where Jesus Christ was crucified. This is about the crucifixion of Jesus, and all the extras that made Him the ultimate sin-bearer for us. He did it all out of love. The torment of Jesus Christ did not start at the crucifixion though; it started the night before in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was in such agony that he sweat "drops of blood." Actually, this a rare but true phenomena. It is called hemohedrosis. It occurs when the capillaries burst and the blood mixes with sweat, producing "blood sweat." Hemohedrosis makes the skin tender, which, for Jesus, was not very good with the coming dangers. Jesus prayed there until his arrest. All his disciples were asleep when he got back, but when the betrayal occurred, they were definitely awake. He was then led away to his trial.

The trial actually wasn't legal. The Jews were not allowed to hold a trial at night, or on the eve of a Sabbath or Holiday. They were not allowed to condemn a person until the day after the trial. There were also a few other things, but they were also permitted. They blindfolded Jesus, and then they made their fun at Him. Because of the blindfold, He could not instinctively dodge or defend Himself at all. After spitting, mocking and beating, He was left alone.

The next day started with a long walk to see Pilate. Jesus was questioned and then handed over to Herod. Herod sent Him back to Pilate. A riot was starting because all the people wanted Jesus dead. They screamed, "Crucify Him!" Pilate realized Jesus' innocence, and so he finally had Jesus flogged. Jesus was scourged with a leather whip embedded with lead or metal balls and bits of sheep bones and glass. The lead or metal balls made deep bruises. The glass and bone cut into His flesh and ripped back the skin and flesh, exposing the bone. It was meant to dehydrate the victim and make it lose enormous amounts of blood. The blood loss would lower the blood pressure, which would cause extreme shock. The Jews had a rule that a prisoner could not be beaten more than 40 times. 39 was normal - one was spared so that they would not accidentally go over 40, and it was called "mercy." Jesus' pathetic self was then beaten with reeds.

The soldiers spat on Jesus, and put a robe on His back. The robe helped clot the blood so that He would not bleed to death. They mocked Him and put a crown of thorns on His head. The crown of thorns would damage a major nerve in His face so that His entire head and neck would suffer amazing amounts of pain. They beat the "crown" onto His head, causing more suffering, and then ripped the robe off, starting the blood flow all over again.

Jesus was then presented to the people once again. The people screamed "Crucify Him" all over again at the sight of the bloody mess. The Jews had a deal with the Romans that every year one prisoner would be released to them. Pilate asked them if they wanted Jesus to be freed. They demanded that they let go a murderer named Barabbas instead of Jesus though. Pilate washed his hands of the matter and had Him crucified.

Jesus then had to carry a 100 lb cross-piece for the cross 650 yards. With that much blood loss, He could not carry the cross. Simon of Cyrene, a North African passer-by, was then called upon to carry the cross for Jesus. Finally, the journey of weeping and screaming ended and a new journey started. The journey of pain and suffering unto death.

Jesus was then nailed to the cross. In Greek, the word "hand" includes the wrist. It is not possible to nail through the hands if you want the victim to stay on the cross. The nail would just rip through the skin and out at the slightest amount of weight. Normally, the nail would be placed between the radius and ulna, and the carpal bones, so it cannot come out. The nail would hit the median nerve, and the intense pain would be felt through the whole arm. The hand would become paralyzed. Some people say that each foot was nailed separately, with each one going in from the side of the foot, and some say it was both feet with one nail. In the first case it would be through the heel, and in the second case, it would be through the second and third metatarsals. For Jesus, the Bible says that not one of His bones were broken (Psalm 34:20), so it was probably the second one. The nail would hit the dorsal pedal artery, and pain would shoot through the entire leg. The weight of the body would dislocate the wrist, shoulders, and elbow. Because of this, it would make the arms six to nine inches longer.

Jesus became thirsty because of the severe dehydration from loss of blood. The body substitutes water with blood after enormous blood loss. Because of this, Jesus asks for something to drink.

While on the cross, the victim slowly suffocates. The person would be slouched over, and would have to push up to breathe, shooting pain through his nailed feet and hands. So it was amazing that Jesus did this to say, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." It can also be translated, "Father, let them alone, for they perceive not who they execute." What a wonderful thought, that He would actually make an effort to say such a thing at His own expense. Jesus only spoke seven times while on the cross because of this factor.

Because of the slouching position He was in, and the terrible price to breathe, Jesus would not be able to breathe very much, and as He lost energy, He would finally not be able to bring Himself up to breathe again (which can take a few days). Carbon dioxide levels would grow in the blood until it turned to an acid. Serum, a watery fluid, would develop around the lungs and heart. After a while of no oxygen, the tissues around start to die. The lungs would fill up with this serum until finally the lungs and heart cannot take any more and collapse. The heart can burst (cardiac rupture) at that point. Jesus probably died of a heart attack. Jesus then said, "Father, into Your hands, I commend my spirit," and "It is finished." Then He died.

The bodies were supposed to be taken away before the Sabbath, so the Romans broke the legs of the two on either side of Jesus. Breaking the legs stops the criminal from pulling up for air, and so he dies quickly. They found Jesus already dead, so they did not break His bones. Instead, they thrust a spear into His side, and blood and water (the serum around the lungs) came out. Without knowing it, they fulfilled Psalm 34:20 and Zech. 12:10.

So why think about such gruesome events? Because each of those stripes paid for our sicknesses (There are approximately 39 types of diseases in the world). They healed us (1 Peter 2:24). Each of those drops of blood was shed for our sins (Matthew 26:28). Each drop gives us life (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14; Deuteronomy 12:23; John 6:53-56). He died to pay for our sins, every single one (1 Corinthians 15:3). He came that we might have abundant life (John 10:10). Why should we think about the cross? Deuteronomy 21:22-23 says that Jesus was actually cursed by God. If He went through all of this on earth, than what about after that. After all this emotional hurts, mocking, terrible pain, and stress, He went to hell for three days. All this for us. He went to hell and took the keys of death and Hades. He conquered Satan forever. He conquered every sin, every bit of shame and guilt. Every bit of sadness and worry. So shouldn't we give it to Him after all He did to have it? Who are we not to accept this wonderful gift; who are we not to hand over our cares and worries. Isn't that why He died? For every sickness and disease? For every tear and hurt?

Sometimes we just skip over the cross and say, "Well, it's done, so, oh well," but we forget the cost. When He says "Come, take up the cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34, 10:21; Luke 9:23), do we really understand what it means? The Christians in the Orient, the Middle East, and all over the world know the cross. In our western world though, do we really understand? I hope that this has encouraged you to stand up against any sickness, disease, hardship, hurt, or any other things you might face. Remember, He faced it first.